TEAMS

One person can change the world, so just imagine what a team can do. Share the Bike MS experience with your friends, family members, and co-workers, and make a difference together!

Being part of a team is a great way to enhance your Bike MS event experience. Your team can train together, fundraise together, wear special team jerseys during the event, and make your Bike MS ride the social event of the season!

It’s easy to form a team. Just select “Start a Team” when you’re registering, and from there we guide you every step of the way. With our online tools you can set your fundraising goal and others to join you.

Teams are a great way to involve family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers in the journey to end multiple sclerosis. The program is also an effective and fun way for companies and organizations to promote teamwork among employees.

We developed a team program for Bike MS focusing on the camaraderie, sense of pride, and collaborative effort that only comes from being part of a team. We provide materials, incentives and staff to help you form and motivate a team.

It only takes one person to inspire hundreds. Find the leader in you by becoming a team captain today!

Once you’ve registered yourself and your team, it’s time to recruit. Here’s a checklist of recruitment tactics to help you build your team:

Create and customize your online team page.

Make a list of potential team members and invite each of them to join you.

Set a date for a team recruitment event (BBQ, happy hour, informal lunch gathering in a company conference room). Ask team members to invite their friends, family and/or co-workers to attend.

Invite Bike MS staff to do an Information & Recruiting hour for colleagues to learn about MS and Bike MS. Offer incentives to attend.

Publicize your team by posting Bike MS brochures, flyers, and posters at your office, place of worship, businesses you frequent and in your neighborhood. Request brochures and posters.

Ask the president of your company to endorse your team, either through a letter to staff or in a write-up in the company newsletter. Why not ask him or her to join the team and ride too?

Encourage those who have never ridden, and have them sign up for our training program; by March they’ll be more than prepared.

Thank each person who has joined your team and encourage them to invite at least one family member, co-worker, or friend to join your team.

Second Gear: Fundraise

As a team captain, it’s up to you to set your team’s fundraising goal. Riders who raise $1,000 or more receive Club 151 benefits. Start there, and then push further!

Following is a checklist to assist you and your team to reach (and surpass!) your fundraising goal.

Talk to your team.

Set a team fundraising goal and communicate with your team on a regular basis (weekly, bi-weekly, etc.) to keep them aware of the team’s progress and any other important fundraising information (competitions, deadlines, etc.).

Remind all your team members that each of them is required to raise at least $350 to participate.

Make a list of possible team fundraisers, and pick a date for one of these events to take place.

Spread the word to family and friends:

Use your personalAccountto send “sponsor me” emails to your family, friends, co-workers, and other contacts, asking for their support of your team. Encourage your team to do the same.

Schedule a visit from a National MS Society staff member to speak with potential team members at your company, class, or meeting place.

Request posters, brochures, or videos to help get the word out.

Remember to track your donations and thank your sponsors!

Third Gear: Motivate

You’ve set a fundraising goal, but how do you encourage your team members to reach it? Here are some tips for motivating your team:

Create challenges within your team to drive fundraising efforts. This could include Top Fundraiser Award or the First to raise $500 Prize, or Best Recruiter (Team Member who brought the most new members to the team). Ask local businesses that you frequent to donate prizes or gift certificates that can be use to motivate your team.

Let your team members and donors know how their donations are used so they understand how valuable their fundraising dollars are to people living with MS. Find out about the programs and services funded by Bike MS, and about research into the cause and a cure, at www.nmssfls.org.

Use your Team Captain’s Account to monitor your team members’ fundraising progress.

Congratulate those that are doing exceptionally well by sending them a personal email and highlighting their successes in a team email. Offer your support to those who may need other techniques of strategies to increase their pledges.

Email weekly/biweekly updates to your team members. For example, “As of today, we need $500 more to reach our goal!”

Select and order team apparel such as jerseys or t-shirts, knowing that this is the visible form of team identity at the event. Considered asking a company (or others) to sponsor these items, as this is a great opportunity for promotion within the community.

Fourth Gear: Training

Once your team has formed and is busy fundraising, the next step is to prepare for the ride. Whether you are riding 50, 80, or 100 miles, plan on spending some quality time with your bicycle, training your body for the challenge.

The more you ride before Bike MS: Breakaway to Key Largo, the better experience you will have. The checklist below will assist you and your team for the ride.

In your emails and phone calls to team members, encourage them to start training.

Lead by example and share your progress as you train for this year’s Breakaway to Key Largo.

Call your teammates and remind them to come to the event!

Fifth Gear: Organize

Take time to prepare for the weekend of the event. This checklist will assist you in organizing your team so that each member has a positive experience and a great ride!

Pre-Event

Remind team members that they each need to raise $350 in order to ride.

Remind your team members to mail in or bring their pledges to the event. (Include rider name and numbers on each check!) Each team member needs to raise at least $350 in order to ride.

Encourage your team members to participate in Bike MS fundraising challenges to win great prizes and raise more money for your team. Watch your email for dates and details.

Organize training rides and safety sessions so that your team members are prepared for ride day.

1-2 Weeks Prior to Event

Make sure everyone checks in at the pre-ride check-in events.

Remind the team to wear your team apparel, if applicable.

Check the status of each team member’s fundraising and suggest an email or letter to be sent to all prospective sponsors that have not yet supported the team.

Choose a time for your team’s picture to be taken.

Ask your team to check the event website for day of information.

If you have a Team Tent, get ready to party in style. Encourage team members to talk to area businesses about sponsoring your Team Tent and providing give-aways, food, beverages, or other things that will make your tent great.

Day of Event

Set a meeting place and time at the Start/Finish locations, perhaps a landmark that will be easy for each team member to find.

Make sure all team members have checked in properly and have their bibs, bike tags, helmet stickers and are ready to begin the ride.

Make sure everyone has a route map.

Communicate meeting times, locations, and photo times to your team, and answer any last minute questions.

Encourage team members to carpool to the event, and remind them to dress for all weather. We will ride, rain or shine!

Find a fun way to bring team flair and distinction at the event. Your team deserves to be recognized, so consider noisemakers, crazy hats, costumes, team t-shirts or orange hair for the day of the ride to get the attention your teamwork deserves.

Post Event

Contact all your team members to congratulate them on a job well done!

Remind team members that the fundraising deadline is April 1, 2014 and encourage them to continue fundraising to get your team to a higher ranking!

Sixth Gear: Celebrate

As the Bike MS: Breakaway to Key Largo weekend approaches, celebrate your team’s efforts over the past months. Consider these last minute details that will make your team members’ excited for the upcoming event.

To motivate:

Distribute team apparel prior to the event to build excitement.

Make a sign for your team photo (could include team name, motto, or a sample check that reflects your fundraising total)

Send an email to your team to 1) congratulate them on how close the team is to reaching its fundraising goal and 2) express your excitement that Bike MS is approaching!

Plan a team party, either before or after the event, to celebrate everyone’s efforts. Remember to consider how this can best be used to encourage your team members to return next year.

Plan a way to celebrate your team reaching its fundraising goal!

Seventh Gear: Share and Inform

All of your efforts have come together Bike MS and your team’s efforts were a success! Share your success and stories with teammates and members of your community who have sponsored you.